Author: Paul Turner

Three crosses

Q: Someone pointed out to me yesterday that there are three crosses indicated for the solemn blessing of the Mass for the Dedication of a Church. I’m assuming that it’s a mistake and simply take over from the Ceremonial of Bishops. Right? == A: Someone has an eagle eye. I’m sure the reason for those three […]

Procession of the gifts

Q: Your 2021 book “Guide for Servers, Second Edition” has on page 40: “On solemn occasions, the members of the assembly who are to present the gifts may be led forward by servers carrying a cross and candles.” I cannot find anything in the Roman Missal or Ceremonial of Bishops that permits the cross and […]

Orthodox candidates

Q: I hope you are doing well!  Here I am with another question. We are preparing two Christians from the Orthodox tradition for full communion. I understand that the reception should be as simple as possible: When Other Christians Become Catholic says that the priest simply places his hand on their head and says the Act of […]

Morning or Evening Prayer

Q: Are there any restrictions (calendar-wise) on a parish celebrating Morning or Evening Prayer from the Office for the Dead? For example, a parish is interested in celebrating evening prayer every Friday or Sunday in November from that Office.== A: I can’t think of rules that directly address this, so to be safe I’d apply […]

Gloria and Creed

Q: Greetings once again from Canada, In your recent post https://paulturner.org/readings-on-all-souls-day/ , you note that in the Proper of Saints, the use of the Gloria is indicated “when applicable”. This is also true of the Creed. For example, for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica on November 9, “When this Feast falls on a Sunday, the Creed […]

Ascension

Q: Good Morning Father Turner,I have an off the wall question because I’m trying to figure something out.Was the holy day of obligation for the Ascension this year (May 29th) moved to Sunday? Thanks! == A: It depends on where you live. Ascension is one of the days that the Vatican wants every Catholic to […]

Permission to confirm

Q: Question regarding OCIA. For candidates being received into full communion at any point (not danger of death), since the bishop is the expected minister to receive the candidates to full communion, if it is done by a priest, would the priest need to get permission according to the order? For catechumens receiving the sacraments […]

Readings on All Souls Day

Q: Sorry to double up ..I think you addressed this matter in a recent post. Please clarify this question from my music director: “Next Sundays readings complicated because of All Souls Day.  Wide range of readings suggested which makes hymn choice difficult    Any ideas Re which readings you will use?  “Also. Lots of controversy, it seems,  […]

Song of Mary

Q: I’m looking at the RCL for Advent III, which gives an option for the Psalm as the ‘Magnificat’ verses in Luke.   Can you bestow your knowledge upon me about why that would be given as an option? == A: The annotated edition of the Revised Common Lectionary gives this explanation: “The option of the […]